Day Of The Dead: 10 Amazing Skull Artworks (SLIDESHOW)

11/01/2012 09:19 am ET

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The Halloween festivities may have come to a close, but there's still more seasonal festivities to celebrate. No, it's not time to break out the cornucopia just yet. Instead, pull out your sugar skulls and miniature skeletons, because today is the Day of the Dead.

The Mexican holiday, known as El Día de los Muertos, is a yearly celebration that pays tribute to the memory of departed spirits. Celebrated in Hispanic communities across the globe, the Catholic tradition harkens back to early Aztec practices of worshipping the goddess Mictecacihuatl, or the Lady of the Dead. The specifics of the holiday include making lavish altars, holding vigils and decorating cemeteries, often involving decadent images of death that take the form of painted skulls, costumed skeletons and vivid folk art.

In honor of the celebration, we've put together a slideshow of amazing skull art. From Vincent van Gogh's smoking skeleton to Damien Hirst's diamond-encrusted creation, scroll through the slideshow below and get in the mood for the Day of the Dead.

10 Amazing Skull Artworks For Day Of The Dead

10 Amazing Skull Artworks For Day Of The Dead

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Damien Hirst

Artist Damien Hirst is well known for his affinity for human skulls. This particular skull is shown covered with 8,601 diamonds and is estimated to be worth over $50 million.
Photo by Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd via Getty Images